Ghaziabad Tragedy Sparks Calls for Ban on Korean Task-Based Games
In a heartbreaking plea following the deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad, their maternal grandfather has urgently appealed to the government to impose a ban on the Korean task-based game that the girls were reportedly addicted to. The tragic incident has ignited widespread concern over the influence of online gaming on young minds.
Grandfather's Emotional Appeal to Prevent Future Tragedies
Dilip, a resident of Seelampur in northeast Delhi and the grandfather of the three sisters, expressed his anguish to PTI, stating, "I fold my hands before the government and request that the game be banned, so that no more such deaths or suicides happen." He emphasized that such a decisive move could potentially save other children from taking extreme steps, highlighting the perceived dangers associated with these digital platforms.
Diary Reveals Inner Turmoil and Family Struggles
Although initial police investigations have not conclusively confirmed the girls' use of any specific Korean task-based application, a nine-page pocket diary recovered from their room provides a poignant glimpse into their inner world. The diary entries reflect a deep attachment to Korean culture and reveal significant distress over ongoing family conflicts.
Authorities noted that the diary also documented the loneliness and stress experienced by Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), who were living in a large family burdened with heavy debt. This context adds a layer of complexity to the tragedy, suggesting multiple contributing factors to their mental state.
Father Confirms Years of Game Addiction and School Absence
After the three sisters jumped to their deaths from the ninth floor of their high-rise building, their father, Chetan Kumar, disclosed that they had been playing a Korean game for nearly three years. He further revealed that during this period, the girls had not attended school, indicating a severe disruption to their education and daily routines due to their gaming habits.
City-Wide Protests Demand Stricter Gaming Regulations
In the aftermath of the tragedy, several individuals, including members of political groups, staged protests across Delhi on Sunday against online games and their increasing influence on children. Demonstrators in West Delhi's Subhash Nagar specifically demanded that children under the age of 16 be barred from accessing such games, calling for immediate regulatory action.
Leading the protest, Paramjit Singh Pamma, the president of the National Akali Dal, asserted, "These online games are destroying children's futures and pushing them on the brink of suicide." He urged the government to introduce a strict law to protect young children from the dangers of online gaming and to monitor such apps closely with the possibility of an outright ban.
Pamma also proposed practical measures, adding, "There should be a restriction mode in these games so that even if children try to access them, they cannot do so without their parents' permission." This suggestion aims to empower parents with greater control over their children's digital activities.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about child safety in the digital age, with many advocating for balanced approaches that address both technological risks and underlying family dynamics.
